Supreme Court lawyers on Thursday issued an ultimatum to the chief justice, demanding the withdrawal of the decision to run virtual courts two days a week.

They said the decision must be scrapped by April 28. Otherwise, they will stage a sit-in protest with black flags on the Supreme Court premises on that day.

The announcement came from a rally and black-flag procession of about one hundred lawyers held at the Supreme Court compound.

Lawyer Syed Mamun Mahbub, one of the leaders of the procession, said the virtual system was introduced on April 22 as a temporary step to save fuel and electricity. However, he argued that the measure has failed.

‘Even after virtual hearings began, the court premises remained crowded. Lawyers and litigants are still coming regularly,’ he said.

He stressed that the judiciary is vital for the rule of law, human rights, and protection of fundamental rights.

‘The judiciary is not a shop or shopping mall that can be closed after certain hours. It must function under all circumstances to sustain a sovereign state,’ he said.

He also said fewer cases are being heard under the virtual system, causing hardship for lawyers and justice seekers.

Former Supreme Court Bar Association assistant secretary Mahbubur Rahman Khan, another key leader of the movement, announced further programmes at a briefing in front of the Supreme Court Annex building, reiterating the April 28 deadline.

‘If the decision is not withdrawn, lawyers will begin a sit-in protest with black flags from that day,’ he said.

Earlier, nearly one hundred lawyers joined a black-flag procession. The march began from the Bar Association building and ended in front of the annex court building. Protesters chanted slogans against the virtual court system.

Lawyers alleged that chief justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury introduced the decision without consulting them.

However, Supreme Court Bar Association acting secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Milon told New Age on Thursday afternoon that Appellate Division judges had discussed the matter with the attorney general, his additional attorneys general and a senior leader of the association, who did not oppose it as it was a trial measure.

Attorney general Ruhul Quddus Kazal, however, on Thursday evening said they were only informed of the decision, not consulted.

Sources at the Supreme Court registry said the Appellate Division chamber judge is set to resume physical hearings from Wednesday.

Other courts are also likely to return to in-person hearings next week amid protests.

During the virtual system, courtrooms remained closed. Judges conducted hearings from their chambers, while bench officers stayed in adjacent rooms. Appellate Division judges held virtual hearings from the chief justice's conference room.

Supreme Court staff said the arrangement helped reduce fuel and electricity use, as fewer courtrooms were in operation and attendance was lower.